The Federal Government has strongly condemned the recent attacks by vandals on power transmission towers, describing the act as a deliberate sabotage of the nation’s electricity infrastructure. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) revealed that vandals destroyed two transmission towers supplying electricity to parts of the North East, specifically impacting Borno and Yobe states.
Tower T372 around Katsaita Village in Yobe State was vandalized, causing the collapse of the 330kV transmission facility, which, in turn, brought down tower T373 along the same line.
Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, expressed deep concern over the act of vandalism, emphasizing that the government is committed to investigating the incident thoroughly and bringing the perpetrators to justice. He stated that the government is already working on legislation to address the menace of vandalism in the power sector.
In a statement, Adelabu said, “Our ministry is working closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate this incident thoroughly. Those responsible for this destructive act will face the full force of the law. Vandalism not only disrupts power supply but also poses a threat to the safety and well-being of our communities.”
The minister urged all Nigerians to stand against such actions, emphasizing that a few individuals should not hinder the government’s efforts in providing regular electricity to the nation. Adelabu reassured the public that a comprehensive plan to protect power facilities would be unveiled, and the government is mobilizing resources to quickly reconstruct the damaged towers.
He concluded by calling on vandals to repent and emphasized the importance of safeguarding government assets. “We should not continue to be our own worst enemy. Nigerians should also protect government assets in their areas,” pleaded Adelabu.
The attacks on power infrastructure not only disrupt the electricity supply but also pose a significant threat to the economic and social well-being of the affected regions. The government’s commitment to prosecuting the perpetrators and implementing measures to prevent future vandalism is crucial for ensuring a stable and reliable power supply across the country.
